The vertical influence of temperature and precipitation on snow cover variability in the Central Tianshan Mountains, Northwest China

Seasonal snow cover in mountainous regions will affect local climate and hydrology. In this study, we assessed the role of altitude in determining the relative importance of temperature and precipitation in snow cover variability in the Central Tianshan Mountains. The results show that: (1) in the study area, temperature has a greater influence on snow cover than precipitation during most of the time period studied and in most altitudes. (2) In the high‐elevation area, there is a threshold altitude of 3900±400 m, below which temperature is negatively while precipitation is positively correlated to snow cover, above which the situation is the opposite. Besides, this threshold altitude decreases from snow accumulated period to snow stable period and then increases from snowmelt period to snow‐free period. (3) Below 2000 m, there is another threshold altitude of 1400±100 m during the snow stable period, below (above) which precipitation (temperature) is the main driver of snow cover

Annealing tunable charge density wave order in a magnetic kagome material FeGe

In the magnetic kagome metal FeGe, a charge density wave (CDW) order emerges inside the antiferromagnetic phase, providing a fertile playground to investigate the interplay between charge and magnetic orders. Here, we demonstrate that the CDW order, as well as magnetic properties, can be reversibly tuned on a large scale through post-growth annealing treatments. The antiferromagnetic and CDW transitions vary systematically as functions of both the temperature and the time period of annealing. Long-range CDW order with a maximum $T_{\mathrm{CDW}}$ and a minimum $T_{\mathrm{N}}$ can be realized in crystals annealed at \SI{320}{\degreeCelsius} for over 48 h. Using magnetization and magnetostrictive coefficient measurements, it is found that the CDW transition is rather stable against an external magnetic field and spin-flop transition. On the other hand, the critical field for spin-flop transition is significantly reduced in the long-range ordered CDW phase. Our results indicate that the CDW in FeGe is immune to variations in magnetic orders, while the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy and the corresponding magnetic ground state can be altered significantly by the charge order. These findings provide crucial clues for further investigation and a better understanding of the nature of the CDW order in FeGe.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

Phase interrogation SPR sensing based on white light polarized interference for wide dynamic detection range

A phase surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensing technology based on white light polarized interference in common-path geometry is reported. A halogen lamp is used as the excitation source of the SPR sensor. The fixed optical path difference (OPD) between p- and s-polarized light is introduced by a birefringence crystal to produce sinusoidal spectral interference fringes. The SPR phase is accurately extracted from the interference fringes using a novel iterative parameter-scanning cross-correlation algorithm. The dynamic detection range is expanded by tracking the best SPR wavelength, which is identified using a window Fourier algorithm. The experimental results show that the sensitivity of this SPR system was 1.3 × 10−7 RIU, and the dynamic detection range was 0.029 RIU. This sensor, not only simple to implement and cost efficient, requires no modulators

High-throughput imaging surface plasmon resonance biosensing based on ultrafast two-point spectral-dip tracking scheme

Wavelength interrogation surface plasmon resonance imaging (λSPRi) has potential in detecting 2-dimensional (2D) sensor array sites, but the resonance wavelength imaging rate limits the application of detecting biomolecular binding process in real time. In this paper, we have successfully demonstrated an ultrafast λSPRi biosensor system. The key feature is a two-point tracking algorithm that drives the liquid crystal tunable filter (LCTF) to achieve fast-tracking of the resonance wavelength movement caused by the binding of target molecules with the probe molecules on the sensing surface. The resonance wavelength measurement time is within 0.25s. To date, this is the fastest speed ever reported in λSPRi. Experiment results show that the sensitivity and dynamic are 2.4 × 10−6 RIU and 4.6 × 10−2 RIU, respectively. In addition, we have also demonstrated that the system has the capability of performing fast high-throughput detection of biomolecular interactions, which confirms that this fast real-time detecting approach is most suitable for high-throughput and label-free biosensing applications

Research on seismic response of new lining structured of shallow double-arch tunnels under unsymmetrical pressure

A physical test model of a new lining structure for a shallow double-arch tunnels under unsymmetrical pressure with a scale of 1:20 was designed and manufactured. Kobe seismic waves and EI seismic waves were selected as the loading waves and a large-scale shaking table test was carried out. The acceleration and dynamic strain response of shallow double-arch tunnels under unsymmetrical pressure under different seismic wave types and seismic intensities are studied. The results show: Under different seismic wave excitations, only the horizontal acceleration amplification factor of the left-hole vault, right-hole invert and the top right of the mid-partition is less than 1, and the horizontal acceleration amplification factors of other measurement points are all greater than 1. The measurement points with relatively large horizontal acceleration response are the left-hole shoulder, the top left of the mid-partition, the right-hole vault and shoulder; The overall response of the right half-arch of the left-hole is greater than the left half-arch of the left-hole, and the overall response of the left half-arch of the right-hole is greater than the right half-arch of the right-hole. The measured points in the left half-arch of the left-hole and the right half-arch of the right-hole have small differences in acceleration response; The effects of Kobe wave on horizontal acceleration and vertical acceleration are greater than EI wave, and the average value of the vertical acceleration response of the lining is greater than the average value of the horizontal acceleration response. With the increase of seismic intensity, the larger the acceleration amplification factor is, the greater the increase is; Under the action of different seismic waves, the seismic wave excitation has a greater impact on the dynamic strain response of the left-hole, and less impact on the right-hole. Among them, the strain value of the left-hole shoulder, left-hole invert and the top left of the mid-partition is much larger than the other measurement points, the trend of the right-hole is relatively gentle, and the strain values of the shoulder are slightly larger. The research conclusions have certain guidance and reference value for the seismic design of shallow double-arch tunnels under unsymmetrical pressure

Palliative local treatment of bone metastases by 125I seed brachytherapy under DynaCT guidance: single-center experience

PURPOSEWe aimed to evaluate the clinical benefit of 125I seed brachytherapy under DynaCT guidance for palliative local treatment of bone metastases.METHODSFrom December 2014 to September 2017, 82 patients with painful bone metastases, who experienced treatment failure using standard strategies or rejected treatment were enrolled in this retrospective study. All patients underwent 125I seed brachytherapy under DynaCT guidance. Technical success, visual analogue scale (VAS), numerical rating scale (NRS), verbal rating scale (VRS), Karnofsky performance status (KPS) and complications were analyzed.RESULTSThe success rate of 125I seed implantation was 100%. The VAS and NRS scores for the most severe pain were 7.0 (5.0–9.0) and 8.0 (6.0–9.0) before brachytherapy. The pain scores assessed every 2 hours gradually decreased within 12 hours (p < 0.001). A comparison of KPS scores showed that patients had significantly better quality of life on weeks 1, 4, and 8 than on week 0 (p < 0.001). The associated complications were mild subcutaneous hemorrhage 25.6% (21/82), fever 7.3% (6/82), minor displacement of radioactive seeds 5.0% (4/82), pathologic fracture 2.4% (2/82), and local skin reaction 2.4% (2/82). After symptomatic treatment, all complications were relieved. Minor displacement of radioactive seeds did not cause damage to adjacent tissues. No serious life-threatening complications occurred in the study group.CONCLUSIONDynaCT-guided 125I seed implantation is a safe and effective method for palliation of painful bone metastases from cancer after failure or rejection of conventional treatments